Austin congratulated the outgoing command for all its accomplishments in Basra.

“We thank you very much for your service to the coalition and the Iraqi people,” he said. “You have been an essential part in Basra’s hard-won and new-found freedom.”

Austin encouraged the newly formed division to continue the high standards set by Multinational Division Southeast.

“[They] have made significant strides in providing security in central and southern Iraq by partnering with the Iraqi security forces over the past year,” he said. “Now they will expand their great partnership with the Iraqi security forces throughout the entire south.”

Oates expressed his appreciation for United Kingdom contributions here, calling the U.S. and British relationship outstanding.

"It's a bittersweet day for me to have them leave,” he said. “I'm enormously proud of them, and I think the people of Great Britain should be very proud of their army.”

Multinational Division South’s objectives in Basra include helping with economic development and governance, increasing security for the Iraqi people and assisting with training and transitioning of the Iraqi security forces.

After six years of deployment in southeastern Iraq, about 4,000 British troops remain. They are scheduled to redeploy this summer.

Two Multinational Division South soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division raise their division colors to signify the division’s arrival in Basra, Iraq, following a transfer-of-responsibility ceremony March 31, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Darryl L. MontgomeryDownload screen-resolutionDownload high-resolution